Saturday 9th August 2025

Opinion

The Encaenia is PR without the public (or anyone else)

Wholesale reform is the last thing Encaenia needs. If only people knew what it is, it would be a well-suited PR exercise for a modern Oxford.

This is how we combat the crusade against universities

It’s easy to think of an arts degree as a fruitless pleasure. But education and academic study are intrinsically valuable.

From pensioners to students, all should fear the Palestine Action ban

If you think this is a win for one side over the other in relation to Israel’s war on Gaza, be careful what you wish for.

Trashing rules save face, not students

Trashing is banned. But what does the banning achieve except pushing students further from...

Greece’s rising debt

James Forder explains Greece's financial crisis

Are there limits on free speech?

Two students debate how 'free' free speech should be

‘Anti-Semitism’ accusations detract from Oxford’s outrage at Ayalon’s extremism

What should we really be considering following Danny Ayalon's speech at the Union?

Should France ban the full Muslim veil?

Two students debate whether the full veil should be outlawed in state owned premises and public transport

Editorial: Consider, engage and argue, don’t just shout louder.

We need to raise the level of debate beyond the playground and who can drown out the opposition.

Should John Terry have gone?

Was John Terry's loss of the English captaincy appropriate?

5 Minute Tute: Parliamentary Privilege

Professor Gillian Peele explains parliamentary privilege and the expenses

Drug Transformation

Danny Kushlick, founder of the drug policy foundation Transform, talks about why drug prohibition isn't working

Guest Columnist: Maeve Haran

'The Sixties was the height of the sexual revolution. Just not at Oxford.'

Voice of the People: Humour

Michael Scott argues that we need to be more tolerant of humour.

Five Minute Tute: Spotify

Director of OUCS defends the decision to ban Spotify on campus

Editorial: Making Mistakes

We need to make mistakes, if for nothing other than to learn from them.

More money, better JCR?

Two students debate whether a larger JCR budget means higher quality student experience

A grinding form of productivity

Joseph King argues that cognitive enhancers are not the way to increase productivity

5 Minute Tute: Iraq Inquiry

Professor Vernon Bogdanor explains the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq War

Journalism under threat

Sir Peter Stothard, former editor of The Times and Cherwell explains why we should pay for online news

Guest Columnist: Newspaper letters pages are duller without women

The Deputy Editor of the London Evening Standard explains women's reluctance to write letters to newspapers

OUSU: State of the Union

Two students debate the effectiveness of OUSU's proposed funding plans

Massachusetts in Red

Clement Knox analyses the Republican victory in Massachusetts

Guest Columnist: Jancis Robinson

Jancis Robinson, award-winning wine writer for the Financial Times explains how she first discovered the beauty of wine at Oxford

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